Man Sprays Irritating Substance in Tokyo Mall, 19 Hospitalized
Quick Look
- An incident at a Tokyo mall saw 19 people hospitalized after a man sprayed an irritating substance, possibly tear gas.
- The affected individuals reported headaches and throat pain, but their conditions are not life-threatening.
- Authorities are searching for the suspect who fled the scene.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
An incident occurred around noon at a mall in Tokyo's Chuo ward after police received an emergency call about an irritating smell and people coughing. Nineteen of the 26 affected individuals were hospitalized with symptoms including headaches and throat pain. The substance used appeared to resemble tear gas.
The incident took place around noon at the mall in Tokyo’s Chuo ward after police received an emergency call reporting an irritating smell and people coughing inside it, Japanese media reported.
Nineteen of the 26 people affected were taken to hospital after complaining of symptoms including headaches and throat pain, according to TBS News Dig.
All of those taken to hospital were conscious and their injuries were not considered life-threatening, the broadcaster reported.
Authorities said they were searching for a man seen on security footage spraying something inside the mall before leaving the scene. The suspected attacker was believed to have fled towards the Shimbashi area, local media reported.
Fuji News Network (FNN), citing the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, said the substance that was used appeared to be something resembling tear gas.
The incident was believed to have occurred near the lobby of a Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation branch inside Ginza Six.
Open Questions
- What was the exact substance sprayed?
- What was the motive behind the attack?
- Where is the suspect now?
- What is the current condition of the hospitalized individuals?
